The 1974 Mel Brooks' classic story Young Frankenstein comes to life in Columbus Oct. 27-Nov. 1 when Broadway Across America - Columbus presents the stage production at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
For ticket information, call 800-294-1892 or visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Young Frankenstein stars Tony Award-winning actors Shuler Hensley and Roger Bart, reprising their roles from the original Broadway production as The Monster and Dr. Frankenstein, respectively.
Hensley took time out of his busy rehearsal and touring schedule to talk with CityScene about playing The Monster, having a character that doesn't talk, Mel Brooks and platform shoes.
CityScene: How did you get the role of The Monster?
Shuler Hensley: The Monster is something that just sort of happened over many, many years. I worked with (director) Susan Stroman in London during a production of Oklahoma, in which I played Jud Fry, so I had a lot of off stage time to fill. So, I would sit off to the side and dance. My mother taught dance so I grew up on a ballet stage and have just always had that in me, I guess. Well Susan said she had to find me a show that featured a big guy that can move. So this (Young Frankenstein) came along and it seemed sort of meant to be. There wasn’t even an audition, I just got the part.
CS: How big are you?
SH: I’m normally, without my platform shoes, just over 6-foot-3-inches and 260 pounds. With everything on for the show, I’m about 6-foot-7-inches and I’ve got a muscle suit on that is another 3 to 5 pounds. I look like I’d be a pretty good defense tackle in the NFL.
CS: Is it difficult to play this role in 4-inch platform shoes?
SH: I’ve had ankle injuries playing sports in the past, so I wear hockey ankle guards in the boots. I haven't fallen yet, but if I do, I'm falling straight down - like a tree.
Other than that, I'm doing a lot of tap in the show and that took me a long time to figure out. The Monster has about five or six different forms of dance, which takes getting used to in the shoes. The thing that is so great about Susan is she takes people and works around their ability, so it makes us look like we know what we're doing!
CS: What about “The Monster” makes him such an interesting character to play?
SH: We all have a history with the movie. Everyone knows the one-liners, the story, but given that, what’s great about the writing that Mel did is The Monster ends up being the straight guy because he’s surrounded by a bunch of crazy people. I think it endears him immediately to the audience.
CS: How much of a hand did Brooks have in the stage production?
SH: He was really involved in the first six months of the show. He always stresses you have to play everything real, don’t play to get the laughs and that really works. And if it doesn't work, then you change it. We’ve learned a lot from him. He's an icon and I don't throw that word around. He’s a part of our culture.
CS: How similar is the stage production to the movie?
SH: It is pretty similar, but there are more songs and other slight differences. I like to think of it kind of like Rocky Horror Picture Show in which everyone knows what’s coming and the story, but it's still surprising every time. Puttin' on the Ritz is an 8-minute dance number - so it's this complete story in the middle of the show. And it's really a chance for The Monster to express himself. He can’t speak, he’s the outsider, so through dance he can express himself.
CS: How did you personally prepare to play this role?
SH: I have a history playing monsters and villains. It's probably just my size and voice type. I find them really interesting because you can play against the obvious. What’s great about not speaking is it’s like a throwback - you're reacting to what’s given in the moment. I don’t have to worry about what’s coming next, I can focus on the other actor and that's when a lot of new things can happen.
I try to really find out underneath what it would be like to not be able to speak, or to wake up and be in a completely different environment and not know these people who are surrounding me. It’s a strong sense of "What if?" But The Monster is already defined for people; I don’t have to define what he is. People have their own history with him. I don’t feel any innate, scary responsibilty except to be real and in the moment. I just have to play in the moment. So, with that, every night it’s different. It’s a treat. Plus, they can never blame me for forgetting my lines!
CS: Because the movie is so iconic, do audience members usually come with certain expectations?
SH: I don’t think the audience comes with expectations, but that's hard for me to answer because I’ve never been on tour before this. I have had a really interesting - positive - reaction from this production. People have told me it's an interactive show for them.
I didn’t watch the movie to prepare. I purposefully did not go back to it because the movie has so many vivid images and we're not trying to recreate it. Mel said forget the movie, go back to the script, that creates the spark on the stage.
CS: You mentioned earlier that this is your first touring production, how has it been for you?
SH: It's been great to tour. I can tell you that a critical part of whether a tour is successful is directly related to cast, and there is not a bad apple in the bunch for this show. That makes it fun. Plus, I have two kids, 9 and 5. They come out to each city with me. They have to pick three things unique to each city and write about it as a school project. That's been fun, too, to see what they pick up.
CS: Where are you originally from and what brought you to New York?
SH: I'm originally from Marietta, Ga. I now live in Montclair, N.J. I came to New York when I started school at the Manhattan School of Music. With this show, I actually have a singing revelation at the end.
I actually like to joke that I'm a triple threat - I sing, dance and throw people. People don't know about it yet, it's the new triple threat!
CS: Why do you think people should come out to see this show?
SH: It's the comedy, the style. I think people just really want to laugh right now because there is a lot of stuff going on. This is two and a half hours of just laughing. I guarantee you will laugh.